STATEMENT BY MS. JACQULYN JOSEPH, DIRECTOR, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, CARICOM SECRETARIAT AT LAUNCH OF 2001 REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD

As we meet to launch the 2001 Report of the International Narcotics Control Board I wish to acknowledge the high level of collaboration and cooperation we in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have had with the United Nations Drugs Control Programme (UNDCP) as we worked together on meeting international commitments.

The launching of the Report is taking place at a time in the Community when there is a focus on accelerating the steps towards the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CARICOM Single Market and Economy is not only about trade in goods; it also includes the movement of skills and capital; and is about preparing us as a Community to be competitive in a global economy. Our Heads of Government have placed high priority on the development of the Region’s Human Resources and preserving and maintaining the gains the Region has made. In this context, the Region regards the use and abuse of any illegal substance as being in the long term counter productive to these efforts and our work towards realizing the potential of CSME .

At this juncture, I also wish to place on record the position of the Caribbean Community on the issue of the legalisation of cannabis. Although there maybe legitimate concerns raised in the Report about the legalisation of cannabis, this is clearly not an issue for us in the Caribbean Community. It should be noted that the Report states that “the changes in cannabis policy and legislation are predominantly taking place in developed countries.” I shall describe later the comprehensive approach being proposed and pursued in respect of reducing the demand for illicit substances.

I will now turn attention to the successes for the Caribbean Community as highlighted in the Report. Regional Cooperation has always been central to the work of the Community; and this approach is also being applied in the Regional Programme on Drug Control and in the area of Crime and Security. Thus we are pleased to note that the Report recognizes several achievements resulting from Regional Co-operation.

The first of these is in respect of the implementation of the Plan of Action on Drug Control Coordination in the Caribbean. This plan was developed in 1996 and we have had the opportunity in December 2001, to assess progress and identify some key areas on which we must now focus. We will begin planning for this shortly.

Secondly the computerised system for tracking small vessels which was introduced by the Caribbean Custom Law Enforcement Council in 1999 has been extended. The report highlights the work being undertaken by this Council with respect to airport security.

Additionally, it should be noted that a Caribbean Council for Forensic Laboratory Heads has also been established; and all Member States have been undertaking the necessary action to introduce appropriate legislation for combating money laundering. We would also like to highlight the cooperation with EU and the wider Caribbean particularly in training and capacity building in the maritime area.

To this list of achievements recorded in the Report, I would like to identify tangible evidence of the priority accorded to Crime and Security. A Task Force established by the Conference of Heads of Government was charged with responsibilities that included studying the underlying causes of crime and violence in our Community. This Task Force is expected to conclude its work by July 2002. It should also be noted that within the structure of the Quasi Cabinet of the Community, Trinidad and Tobago has Prime Ministerial responsibility for this area.

Lets us now look at demand reduction. In the Report, the Board notes that several initiatives, aimed at drug abuse, prevention and the reduction of the demand for illicit drugs, were undertaken by Member States of the Community. It does not however fully describe our achievements. I would like to take the opportunity to outline briefly the renewed efforts at regional co-operation in this area.

The Community will be establishing a Regional Demand Reduction Group which will commence work shortly. This Group will operate within the framework of an inter-sectoral approach focusing on young persons, and which would be underpinned by research. Already the Caribbean Information Network has been established and is located at the Caribbean Epidemiology Center in Trinidad and Tobago. We place much importance on research as a means of understanding our culture, our myths and our lifestyles in order to better inform our strategies for behavioural. change.

Our Heads of Government in 2001 acknowledged in the Nassau Declaration issued during their meeting held in The Bahamas that the Health of the Region is the Wealth of The Region. The priority areas identified for attention were HIV/AIDS, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health. The inter-sectoral approach for reducing the demand for illicit substances will draw upon the strategies emerging from programmes in these areas.

In closing, I would like to draw attention to the fact that all Member States of the Community have signed the 1988 Convention . At the same time it should be noted that funds allocated to demand reduction programmes are inadequate and are decreasing. Given the high priority which the Community places on its human resources, we call on the international agencies to renew their commitments and efforts in this area.

Finally, the Region recognises the level of support it has received from the UNDCP over the past year and welcomes this opportunity to be a part of the launching of the 2001 Report of the International Narcotics Control Board.